Trump Forms Board to Govern Gaza, Invites Erdogan, Global Leaders
Washington: President Donald Trump has invited Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to become a founding member of a newly formed “Board of Peace” tasked with overseeing Gaza during its transitional phase, Türkiye’s Communications Directorate announced on Saturday.
“On January 16, US President Donald Trump, in his capacity as the founding chairman of the Board of Peace, sent a letter inviting our President, Mr Tayyip Erdogan, to become a founding member,” said Burhanettin Duran, Türkiye’s Head of Communications, in a post on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
The Board of Peace, announced by Trump following UN Security Council Resolution 2803, is part of a broader Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which has already facilitated a ceasefire. Its mandate includes ensuring security, reconstruction, and governance during the transition.
Trump will serve as chairman of the board. Other members include Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Trump said the board will support a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, to govern the territory during the transitional period. He emphasized that the Palestinian leaders involved are committed to a “peaceful future” and pledged to secure a comprehensive demilitarisation agreement with Hamas, with support from Egypt, Türkiye, and Qatar.
In addition, the White House announced an Executive Board to assist with governance and service delivery under the Board of Peace. Other notable members include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al-Hashimy, veteran Qatari diplomat Ali Al-Thawadi, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov, Cypriot-Israeli businessman Yakir Gabay, and Dutch politician Sigrid Kaag.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, noted that the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement has already begun as part of the president’s 20-point plan to end the conflict.
